Blaenau's Story

A video prepared by Cymdeithas Hanes Bro Ffestiniog - Blaenau Ffestiniog's local history group.
The video can be seen (in HD) at the local history exhibition that we arrange every year, during the summer months, not far from the railway station.
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MAE COPI CYMRAEG O'R FIDEO hefyd ar gael -
• Stori Stiniog

[@KenzoBrown16]

Very proud to be from Blaenau Ffestiniog 🙏

[@tonyguest9744]

My Grandad George Guest worked in the Maenofferen Quarry and my Aunt Margaret (his daughter) worked in the Hall and was a local JP. Happy days ❤

[@stephenanderson4603]

Excellent thanks

[@rodericklow323]

A very fine film that explains the origins and purpose of the town. It's taken me nearly sixty years to pronounce it properly, too! All respect to the hardy men and women of Blaenau. Thank you.

[@Rosie6857]

She pronounces it as a North Walian would. Using Welsh vowels she calls it Bleina. Why not? You don't tell a Yorkshireman how to pronounce Keighley. A wonderful and informative film which enhanced my feeling of being Welsh even if my English speech is Home Counties plus a good dash of Croydon.

[@Buttylander]

The producers deserve great credit for such a beautifully produced factual history explaining so much.I was one of the early volunteers in 1955 who started restoring the Ffestiniog Railway from Portmadoc to Minfford. We experienced some abusive treatment by the locals who seemed to want the dereliction to survive. I hope now they will realise the tourists make a valuable contribution to the local economy and be grateful for what wee did. I am proud to have been involved.

[@vwthings]

Having watched this I have so much admiration for the generations who worked these mines. Beautifully done. Well done. We should all be proud of the people of Blaenau!

[@michaelcoker3197]

What a lovely voice and accent! Entrancing.

[@Rosie6857]

Very N. Walian. Both my aunts sounded like that. I hope "Bleina" is re-inventing itself - it deserves to.

[@lorettahouben6565]

My great uncle, Robert David Williams, is on this video! My 2nd cousin sent me the link today, March 9/16. I'm currently researching my paternal grandfather's side of the family. Until last year, we knew hardly anything at all about Robert, but thanks to modern technology, his grandson contacted me through Ancestry UK and has been sharing everything he can find. Thank you so much for uploading this video to KZbin! One day soon I hope to visit Blaenau Festiniog in person. My grandpa, John Griffith Williams immigrated to Canada in 1910 when he was 23. He was the only one in his family to do so! So here I am. Robert David Williams is at the 10:00 section in the video above; he is the 2nd man from the right on the slate cart, wearing a light coloured coat. This is just so neat! Those were brave men and women in those long ago days.

[@garethbryneithin]

I am the secretary of Blaenau History Soc & it wasa I that put the video together. Glad you like it. Sorry the photo of your great uncle is not any better! I got it from a publication so cannot offer you anything much better. I wonder if I have any other photos of him?

[@KenzoBrown16]

My dad worked in the quarrys for 20yrs and my great grandfather built the railway 🙏🙏 a very long time ago

[@DavidOwensuk]

Great video thank you! I love Blaenau

[@KenzoBrown16]

To see my grandmothers house on here 🥲

[@jonesthestone]

great film, thank you for uploading, diolch yn fawr.

[@samwilliamson6749]

Fantastic video and the best example I’ve found online of a proper north west Wales accent.

[@peggypendergast5220]

Thank you so much for this video! I hope to visit Blaenau Ffestiniog in May of 2018. My grandfather (Robert Edwards Doyle) was born there and emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 9. His father (John Doyle) was a baker and his maternal grandfather (Robert Edwards) worked in the quarry alongside his son. I could not be more excited to learn more about my Welsh heritage!

[@garethbryneithin]

Peggy Pendergast Thank you for the kind words. If you require any further information prior to your visit please get back to me. I could give you some advice about your planned visit. We might even meet whilst you are in Wales.

[@peggypendergast5220]

Gareth Jones That would be wonderful, Gareth. I am sure that I will have more questions for you as the trip gets closer.

[@garethbryneithin]

I had a quick look and found John&AnnieDoyle living in BFf on 1901 census along with baby REDoyle. JD born in Ireland as surname suggests. Are you going to visit Ireland as well (2hr ferry crossing from Anglesey)?

[@garethbryneithin]

P.s. You may find that trans-Atlantic flights to Dublin are cheaper than to UK BTW - then 2hr ferry across

[@peggypendergast5220]

Gareth Jones Such a fantastic suggestion! Changes the whole trip. Always good to talk to the locals. I was going to land in Cardiff and take a long train ride North. Can you be reached by email at the historical society? I would like to continue the conversation. Some of my ancestors' home towns do not seem to be easily reached.

[@fojnica2226]

nice story..greetings from croatia

[@ldman100]

Excellent video, beautifully narated

[@marianwilliams6797]

oh mam bach!! hiraeth mawr arnai..... what a good informative film well done the historian that did their homework well Da Iawn wir....

[@garethbryneithin]

Diolch yn fawr...

[@edleyroberts6155]

very nice

[@jones1068]

Da iawn es I am dro rownd Llyn Tanygrisiau ddoe lle braf.

[@susandruce1064]

da lawn cariad

[@allancave6612]

ardderchog da iawn

[@Gavinthomas06]

Dwi just yn fucking Caru blaenau